A situation to monitor: Dallas Mavericks

[coffee425]

Does anyone have a sense on what Dallas plans on doing?

Injuries have decimated the team to a terrible record, so I would expect that the "tanking" talks have already begun in the Mavs front office. Their options seem simple enough, but the decision is up in the air.

• Tank and get a top pick: begin the full rebuild - trade Dirk to a contender for assets
• Tank and get a top pick: trade the pick for a borderline allstar to give Dirk a chance to contend for a few more years
• Survive the injuries and hope to make a run for the 8th seed

For the Celtics, this situation is definitely worth having an eye on. Considering the first two options.

• We may be a suitable home for Dirk (via option 1) if we strike out in free agency, and it's likely that Dallas will accept non-brooklyn picks for Dirk.
• We may have the borderline all-star that the Mavs would trade for to contend (IT4, Crowder, Horford) and I can see Danny Ainge making the trade to secure two top 10 picks (brooklyn and dallas) in a top-heavy draft.

[saltlover]

Cuban said the other day they might start tanking with 5-10 games in the season.  But neither he nor Carlisle are fans, and they're still going to try to be competitive on a nightly basis.  It's early in the season -- if they can get Dirk back and playing like last year, there's plenty of time.

[hpantazo]

Tanking is their best option. Dirk is just about cooked and even at full health they don't have the roster to be able to contend. They also don't have the assets to trade for anyone that could make them legit contenders at this stage.  I don't know if Dirk is open to being delt to a contender or if he wants to retire a lifelong Mav like Kobe with the Lakers.

I don't see Ainge wanting any part of Dirk at this stage though. I can see the Cavs or the Warriors or the Clippers making a move for him.

The downside of all of this is the Mavs are likely to compete for a top pick with the Nets.

[alldaboston]

Tanking is their best option. Dirk is just about cooked and even at full health they don't have the roster to be able to contend. They also don't have the assets to trade for anyone that could make them legit contenders at this stage.  I don't know if Dirk is open to being delt to a contender or if he wants to retire a lifelong Mav like Kobe with the Lakers.

I don't see Ainge wanting any part of Dirk at this stage though. I can see the Cavs or the Warriors or the Clippers making a move for him.

The downside of all of this is the Mavs are likely to compete for a top pick with the Nets.

Love Yabusele, but I wish we could have had the 2017 mavs pick instead of their 2016 pick.

[coffee425]

Tanking is their best option. Dirk is just about cooked and even at full health they don't have the roster to be able to contend. They also don't have the assets to trade for anyone that could make them legit contenders at this stage.  I don't know if Dirk is open to being delt to a contender or if he wants to retire a lifelong Mav like Kobe with the Lakers.

I don't see Ainge wanting any part of Dirk at this stage though. I can see the Cavs or the Warriors or the Clippers making a move for him.

The downside of all of this is the Mavs are likely to compete for a top pick with the Nets.

I dont think those 3 teams would have the cap space to take on Dirk at his current salary. Why pay the tax for him?
As for Danny, if there are no major free agents coming to Boston, I can see him taking a chance on Dirk

[TheSundanceKid]

Honestly I think Dirk retires a Mav, Cuban isn't of the same mindset as Danny and Wyc. If they do decide to "tank" this year then I'd be interested in a deal for Bogut mostly

[GreenShooter]

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[GreenShooter]

Tanking is their best option. Dirk is just about cooked and even at full health they don't have the roster to be able to contend. They also don't have the assets to trade for anyone that could make them legit contenders at this stage.  I don't know if Dirk is open to being delt to a contender or if he wants to retire a lifelong Mav like Kobe with the Lakers.

I don't see Ainge wanting any part of Dirk at this stage though. I can see the Cavs or the Warriors or the Clippers making a move for him.

The downside of all of this is the Mavs are likely to compete for a top pick with the Nets.

Love Yabusele, but I wish we could have had the 2017 mavs pick instead of their 2016 pick.

That pick was top 8 protected